What happens when sodium reacts with an acid?

Answer 1

sodium + hydrochloric acid → sodium chloride + hydrogen.

2Na(s) + 2HCl(aq) → 2NaCl(aq) + H2(g)

Hydrogen gas produced catches fire. The reaction is very exothermic. Metallic sodium reacts violently with water. Use a safety screen if you decide to see what happens with acid. Use small pieces of sodium and a wide mouthed reacting vessel ie a beaker rather than a test tube.

Answer 2

The the sodium replaces hydrogen in the acid, producing hydrogen gas and a corresponding sodium salt. For example sodium reacts with hydrochloric acid to produce hydrogen gas and sodium chloride.

The reaction also produces large amount of heat. If oxygen is present the heat will ignite the hydrogen, causing it to react with the oxygen to form water.

Answer 3

Sodium hydroxide is a powerful alkali/base. When sodium hydroxide contacts an acid, it would result in a violent neutralization reaction, depending on the acid. Pure acetic acid would barely if at all react with sodium hydroxide, while even a few drops of hydrochloric acid can cause the reactants to splatter everywhere.

Answer 4

Sodium belongs to the first period of the Periodic Table. Thus, sodium is an alkali metal. Alkali metals such as sodium, potassium have a characteristic property. When they react with an acid, it occurs with the evolution of hydrogen gas.

Answer 5

Sodium does not react with sodium hydroxide. However, most of the sodium hydroxide reagents in laboratories contain water. With the water molecules present in the solution, sodium reacts violently to form sodium hydroxide.

Answer 6

With sulphuric acid and nitric acid it forms a sodium salt and HCl gas on heating, but don't reacts with HCl due to common Cl ion.